He worked to keep his smile at a minimum. It was nice though, working side by side with her. Even doing something as mundane as peeling potatoes—a task their cook had set him to countless times when he was a boy, always at her elbow trying to beg a biscuit or snack and asking “too many infernal questions.” When their business was back up and running smoothly, he’d probably be able to hire a cook again. When he married, his wife wouldn’t have to prepare their meals herself, unless she wanted to. But this was nice. He wouldn’t mind repeating it day in and day out for the next five decades or so.

If this young lady beside him could be convinced to give him a chance. Would she mention the letters tonight? Probably not. But she also wasn’t avoiding him, so she must not mind them.

Perhaps not minding could become enjoying. And enjoying could become looking forward to. And then if ever he stopped, she’d miss them. Miss him.

“Have you heard from Red yet about his interview?” Dot asked from the other side of the kitchen.

Drake skated his knife down the side of the potato, careful not to waste any of the meat. Cook would always give him a mostly playful cuff if he wasted anything, even in prosperous times. “He stopped by, yes, in quite a jovial mood. I’ll let him tell you the details though.”

“So then it went well?” She rooted around in the cupboard for something or another. “Oh, I’m so glad!”

“I imagined you would be.” Laughter seeped into his tone, he knew. And he didn’t exactly try to stop it. “Perhaps now you two will make the courtship official instead of pretending you don’t know what I’m teasing you about.”

Something hit the back of his head and then fell to the floor. A dish towel, he saw with a chuckle. And noted that the childish response had Margot biting back a grin.

“I wish you’d just stop the teasing.” But his sister didn’t exactly sound put out. “We’ve only just got reacquainted, and when we knew each other before, there was Nelson.”

“Yes. But isn’t that in part what creates a bond between you now? That he meant so much to both of you?”

When he glanced over his shoulder, he saw a soft smile on Dot’s face. “It is. We can reminisce together . . . and yet somehow, it isn’t awkward. We can remember, but his ghost isn’t there between us.”

His first potato finished, Drake reached for the next. “Where do you see yourself when the war’s over? I know Nelson had intended to move to the country. Is that what you want?”